Automatic phonograph



June 20,1944. c JOHNSON H 2,351,972

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed March 21, 1940 1o Sheets-Sheet 1 a: ads/mam;e 92; 6 w

' )QZZ/J.

June 20, 1944. Q HN ON 2,351,972

I KUTOMATIQ PHONOGRAPH 7 Filed March 21, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 617 6 766 426 6';

I I June 20, 1944.

- c. G. JOHNS ON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed March 21, 1940 10Sheets-Sheet 5 ham? Z6, EQM. -c JOHNSON 2,351,972

' AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed March 21, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 I June 1c. G. JOHNSON 72 7 AUTOMAT I C PHONOGRAPH jgy g 4%? YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ9 6 index 2. 72? 21 affZ 10.2 9f .3 v

June 20,1944. c JOHNSON- 2,351,972 AUTOMATIC PHCNOGRAPH Filed March 21,1940 10 Sheets- Sheet 9 Z3722. v M

62 l 60 i i g June'ZO, 1944. c. s. JOHNSON AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH FiledMarch 21, '1940 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Patented June 20, 1944 AUTOMATICmoNoGnArn Carl G. Johnson, Chicago, 111., assignor to J. P.

Seeburg Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application March 21,1940, Serial No. 325,111 I 10 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic phonoarm is enabled to start thegraphs and has for one of its objects the provision of a simple andeffective device whereby a plurality of records may be played insequence automatically without intervention-by the operator after therecords are loaded on the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedrecord-changing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvedrecord-changing mechanism in which the various record-changing devicesare actuated without the aid of a clutch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplifiedrecord-changing device which can be readilyand simply adjusted to playrecords of diiferent sizes.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appearfrom the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the phonograph, with its parts arranged forthe playing of a 10" record;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the phonograph in condition for playinga 12" record;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 22,showing the relation ofcertain parts when in the condition illustratedin Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts when in thecondition illustrated inFig.2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view similar td Fig. 1, showing the relation of theparts of the phonograph when a record is being dropped onto theturntable;

Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing the relation of the parts of thephonograph when a 12" record is being dropped onto the turntable;

Fig. '7 is a view of the mechanism as viewed record-dropping cycle. I

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line lI-|l of Fig.7, showing the relation of certain parts below the bottom of one of theposts; I

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken on the line l2--i2 of Fig. '1,illustrating the tone arm and mechanism for actuating the same;

Fig. 13 is a similar view, the elements bein shown in position toelevate the tone arm'away from the records on the turntable;

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail of the tone arm, as viewed on the line.lfl-H of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line I5-l5 ofFig. '7 and showing the structure of one of the posts and associatedmechanism;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line lt-IB of Fig.7, showing a combined switch and manual button for initiating thedropping 01 another record when desired;

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary plan view, showin one of the posts inrecord-unloading position, part of the post being broken away to showinternal structure in section; I

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary detail showing therelation of certain parts ofone of the posts when from the underside, the elements being shown inthe position they occupy during the playing of a 10" record;

Fig. 8 is a similar view, showing the relation of the parts when a 10"record is being dropped onto the turntable;

Fig. 9 is a. fragmentary view similar to Figs. 7

\ and 8, showing the relation of certain parts when a 12" record isbeing played;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line Ill-lilofFig.7, illustrating means for applying a braking force to the tone arm,means for rotating the tone arm beyond initial playing position andmeans whereby the tone the same is in the unloading position shown inFig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on'the irregular line89-!9 of Fig. '7, showing the relation of the turntable and elements ofthe device located beneath the turntable;

Fig. 20 is a detail view as viewed from beneath, illustrating themechanism for moving the tone arm inwardly so that its needle enters thegroove;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken on the line 2l-2l ofFig. 20;

Fig. 22 is an elevational view showing one of the posts in elevation andillustrating the manner in which one of the upper record-supportingmembers enters the stack of records immediately above the lowermostrecord;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line 23-43 of Fig. 10and illustrating the trip mechanism; a 7

Figs. 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 7,showing successive stages of the record-changing mechanism during therecord-changing cycle;

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 29-29 of Fig.7, showing the tone arm latch mechanism;

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary plan view of the combined switch and cancellingmember, the'view being taken on the line 55-55 of Figure 16; and

Fig. 31 is an inverted sectional plan view of said member taken on theline "-8! of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawings, the phonograph is of the type which comprisesa plurality of posts designated generally by the reference numeral 40,which are provided with means for supporting a plurality of recordsabove a turntable 4|. In the specific embodiment illustrated, two suchposts are shown. During the record-changing cycle the posts 45 areoscillated, and these posts being provided with escapement devicesenable the lowermost record to fall onto the turntable, the remainingrecords being held supported on the posts.

The turntable 4| is provided with a spindle 42 which extends upwardly aconsiderable distance so as to extend through the central openings inthe records supported on the posts 40. The spindle 42 is driven by amotor 48 which is mounted on the underside of the motor board 44, theturntable 4| being mounted on the spindle 42 above the motor board inthe usual manner.

Each post 40 comprises a pedestal 45 which is tical shaft 46 isrotatably mounted on the pedestal, this shaft having a radial pin 41which is adapted to rest on a washer 48 on the upper end of the pedestal45. A supporting head 49 is supported on the upper end of the shaft 45.This supporting head comprises a sleeve 55 which receives the upper endof the shaft 45. The lower end of the sleeve 50 is provided with twonotches and 52 and also with a recess 53, which are adapted to cooperatewith the pin 41.

The supporting head 49 is adapted for limited vertical movement withrespect to the shaft 45. For this purpose the sleeve 55 is provided witha set screw 54 which extends into a circumferential groove 55 providedin the shaft 45. It will readily be seen with reference to Fig. that ifthe supporting head 49 is raised, its lower end will clear the pin 41 soas to enable this pin to be located in either of the notches 5| or 52 orto enable it to receive the recess 55 in the manner shown in Fig. 18. Itmay here be explained that when the notches 5| receive the pins 41 theposts are adapted to operate with 12" records, the relation between thepin 41 and the notch 5| being shown in Fig. 4. When this relationobtains, the supporting heads are in the location shown in Fig. 2 duringthe playing of a 12" record and they are in the position shown in Fig. 6when a 12" record is being dropped onto the turntable.

When the pins 41 are located in the notches 52, as shown in Fig. 3, thesupporting heads are arranged to operate with 10" records. When thisrelation obtains, the supporting heads are in the position shown in Fig.1 during the playing of a 10" record and in the position shown in Fig. 5when a 10" record is being dropped onto the turntable.

When the recesses 53 are in engagement with the pins 41 as shown in Fig.18, the supporting heads are located in the record-unloading position asshown in Fig. 1'7. It will readily be understood that the supportingheads may be adjusted to any of these three positions by merely raisingthem and rotating them so as to bring the particular notches or recesses5i, 5! or 58 into cooperative relation with the pins 41.

Suitable indicia are provided on the supporting heads-to indicate theposition of adjustment rigidly mounted on the motor board 44. A verthepin 62.

of the heads. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, arrows accompanied by thenumeral l5, stamped into the supporting head, are directed radiallyinwardly when the heads are adjusted for playing 10" records, the headsbeing in normal or recordreproducing position. When the heads are innormal playing position for 12" records, as shown in Fig. 2, arrows 51are directed radially inwardly. -These arrows, together with the numbersII, are stamped or otherwise formed on the supporting heads.

The supporting head may suitable comprise a major portion 58 ofsubstantially quadrant shape. This quadrant portion serves as a normalsupport for 12" records, as is shown in Fig. 2. Above this quadrantportion the supporting head is pro- ,vided with a boss 55 which isconformed to serve as a seat for a blade 55. The blade 55 is providedwith an opening 5| which receives a small pine 52 eccentrically locatedon the boss 55. It also is provided with an opening 53 in alignment withthe axis of the shaft 45.

The opening 53 receives a small boss 54 which is a small upwardlyprojecting portion of the boss 59. Through this small boss extends ascrew v which secures upon the boss 55 a knob 55 which has a smallcentral boss adapted to bear upon the small boss 54, so as to define thelocation of the knob 55 with respect to height. The knob 55 is providedwith a recess which receives The relationbetween the knob and the boss59 is such that the blade 55 is provided with a central predetermineddegree of freedom of movement in the vertical direction. The blade 55 islocated above the effective portion of the quadrant 55 by an amountwhich is substantially equal to the thickness of a 12" record. In caseof any variation in thickness of the records employed, the blade 50,owing to its limited freedom of movement, is enabled to enter betweenthe lowermost record of the stack supported by the quadrant portion 58.

In initial position, the stack of records is supported by the quadrants55, as shown in Fig. 2. When the supporting heads are rotated incounter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, the quadrants 58 arewithdrawn from the records.

- Before this withdrawal occurs the blades 50 have 'move downwardly onespace and rest upon the quadrant portions 58 in the manner shown in Fig.2.

The quadrant portion 58 of the supporting head is provided with aprojecting flange 51 which is preferably located substantially below thelevel of the upper surface of the quadrant portion 58. The periphery ofthe quadrant portion 58 is provided with an opening 58 which enables ablade 69 to pass inwardly into the underside of the quadrant portion 58.This blade is riveted to the underside of the quadrant portion 58 sothat it is provided with a certain degree of freedom for movement in avertical direction. That is, it isnot tightly riveted to the undersideof thequadrant it. but is secured thereto by means of spacer means and awasher, suflicient clearance being provided between the washer and theunderside of the quadrant 58 to permit the blade 88 to move slightly upand down so that it may accommodate itself to records of-varyingthicknesses. 1

When the supporting heads are set to cooperate with 10" records, these10" records are in the playing condition of the machine, supported onthe flanges 81. When these supporting heads are moved incounter-clockwise direction a viewed in Fig; l, the flanges 81 arewithdrawn from the records. Before thatwithdrawal, the blades 88 enterthe stack between the lowermost record of the stack and the recordimmediately above it. Consequently,'the lowermost record is released andthe remaining records of the stack are held supported by the blades 68,as shown in Fig. 5. When the supporting heads are moved in clockwisedirection as viewed in Figs. 5 and 1, so as to return them to theirposition shown in Fig. 1, the flanges 81 move below the elevated recordsand thereafter the blades 68 move clear of these records so that they.descend one step onto the flanges 81. 7

These supporting heads 48 are oscillated in counter-clockwise andclockwise directions by means of an actuating lever I8 located on theunderside of the motor board 64. This actuating lever is connected to acrank arm II which is rigidly mounted on the lower end of one of theshafts 46. The other end of this lever is connected to a member 12 whichis likewise rigidly mounted on the lower end of the other shaft 48. Asfar as actuation of the supporting heads is concerned, the members IIand I2 are similar in effect. Since, however, the member I2 has otherfunctions, it is distinguished from the member II by the employment of adifierent reference numeral. I

The description so far applies equally well to both posts. Certain othermechanism is associated with the post 80 which is located at the lowerleft-hand side of Figs. 1, 2,5 and 6 and on the upper left-hand side onFigs. '1 and 8, this being the post whose shaft 48 carries .the memberI2. In this post, which will be referred to as the control post, thesleeve 58 is provided with an exterior rib or projection I8 (Figs. 3 and4) which is adapted to cooperate with the horizontally turned end 14 ofa rod I5 (Figs. 15 and 22).

The rod 18 is rotatably mounted in the pedestal 55. Its lower end, whichis located below the motor board 44, carries an arm "which is pivotallyconnected to a bar 11. The bar I1 is slidably mounted on the undersideof the motor board 44 by means of a screw and slot cnnec tion I8. Thebar 11 is provided with a vertical and plate I8 which is adapted toserve. as an abutment for a purpose which will hereinafter be described.

The rod 15 is biased by a spring I8 which tends to force its radialportion II towards the sleeve 88. It may here be noted that when theassociated supporting head 88 is located for the playing of a 10" recordthe projection I8 is out of contact with the member 14,. as shown inFig. 3. Further it is to'be noted that when the head oscillates from itsposition in Fig. l to, its position in Fig. for the dropping of arecord, the rib or projection I8 does not come into contact with themember I4. Consequently, during the playing and changing of 10" recordsamt-a the bar 11 remains in the position in which Fig. 7

shows it. When, however, the heads 48 are 8dr iusted to 12" record.playing position, the rib or projection I8 deflects the member It in themanner shown in Fig. 4 and this deflection is maintained when the headsmove from their position in Fig. 2 to their position in Fi 6 and duringtheir return to their position of Fig. 2. Consequently, when l2" recordsare being played the bar 11 remains in the position in which Fig. 9

shows it.

The tone arm 88, which includes a conventional pick-up (not shown) and aneedle 8I is mounted on a pedestal 82 carried'onthe motor board 44 in asuitable position. The tone arm is secured by means of rubber washersand screws to a bracket 84 provided with ears 85 which-extend downwardly(Fig. 12). nected by means of a pivot 88 to one end of a bracket 81. Thebracket II is secured to the upper end of a tubular member 88 which isrotatably mounted in the pedestal 82 so as'to provide a vertical axisforthetranslation of the tone arm over the record surface. .The pivot 88provides a pivotal axis whereby the tone arm may be moved up and downwith respect to the record on the turntable. Springs 88 connected to thebracket 81 and to the ears 88 serve to counter-balance the tone arm tosome extent so that it applies the requisite pressure upon the needle M.The tubular'rnember 88 is provided with an enlarged portion 88 at itsupper end, whereby it is supported by the pedestal 82. g The lower endof the tubular member 88 extends through a bearing 8| on the undersideof the motor board. Below the bearing 8| the tubular member 88 hasrigidly secured thereon a member 82which hasthree outwardly pro jectingarms 83. 8i and88. The arm 85 is provided with an upturned end 88 whichis adapted to cooperate with a tone arm return assembly 81 (Figs. 20 and21).. his assembly serving to return the tone, arm" from an extremeoutward position to initial playing position for records of differentsizes. The tone arm return assembly comprises an, arm 88 pivotallymounted on the underside of the motor ,board 44 and biased by a spring89 against a stationary abutment I88. The arm 88 has an end member I8Iwhich is adapted to cooperate with the abutment I8 on the bar H whichhas previously been described. When the bar TI is in the position shownin Fig. 7, the arm 88 engages abutment 188 so that the tone arm isreturned to initial playing position for a 10" rec- 0rd. When. however,the bar i1 is in the position shown in Fig. 9, the abutment IIlI of thelever 88 engages the abutment I8 on the bar TI and the tone arm isreturned only to initial playing position for a 12" record.

The arm 88 has pivotally mounted on its underside a plate I02 which maybe secured to the arm 88 in desired position of adjustment by means of abolt I88 which is threaded into the arm 88 and extends through a slot IMinthe plate I82 (Fig. 20). The plate I82 has a downturned flange I28which is adapted to engage .;the

upturned end 88 of the arm in-the manner shown in Fig. 21. The flangeI28 is provided with an opening I88 through which ,extendsaportion of aspring I88 mounted on th underside iof the plate I02. This spring isrelatively weak :so that when the tone arm return assembly -8'I.,is.moved in counter-clockwise .direction, as .viewed' 20, to move the tonearm to initial playing posi- The bracket 84 is contion, the upturned end98 is engaged by the flange I29, the spring I05being forced inwardlyfrom its position shown in dotted lines in Fig. into its full lineposition in that figure. This compression of the spring I05 resultsfromthe fact that during the movementof the tone arm to initial playingposition a braking eifect 'is 'applied to the member 92.

As willhereinafter be described, when the tone arm is returned toinitial playing position, the braking effect is withdrawn and the springI05 is then free to move the tone arm inwardly with a slight pressure soas to move the needle into the first groove of the record. It willreadily be understood thatowing to the adjustable mounting of the plateI02 upon the arm 98, the return of the tone arm to initial playingposition may be accurately adjusted. l

Means are provided to cooperate with the arm 94 to move the tone armoutwardly clear of the records so that a record may drop fromtheelevated stack onto the turntable or onto records on the turntable.For this purpose is provided a bar I06, one end of which is pivotallymounted on the member I2, the other end being guided for slidablemovement in a bracket I01 mounted on the underside of the motor board44.

As best seen in Fig. 10, the bar I08 is located below the level of thearm 94 and it carries an upstanding pin I08 which is adapted to engagethe arm 94 to swing the tone arm outwardly. The pin I08 is normallylocated a substantial distance away from the arm 94, as best seen inFigs. '7 and 9. Consequently, when the bar I06 begins to move from itsposition in Fig. 7 into its P position in Fig 8 as a result of theactuation of the member I2, the arm 94 is not operated until the latterpart of this movement. As will hereinafter appear, during the initialpart of this movement the tone arm is elevated so that the outwardmovement resulting from the cooperation of the'pin I08 with the arm 94swings the tone'arm when it is elevated away from the record.

When records are to be unloaded from the turntable and mounted on theposts for sequential playing, it is desirable that the tone arm shall belatched in an outward position clear of the records. For this purpose Ipivotally mounted upon the bracket I01 a latch I09 (Fig. 29) which isprovided with a detent IIO which is adapted to engage the arm 94 whenthe tone arm is swung outwardly into its extreme position by hand. Whenthe tone arm is swung into its extreme outward position by thepin I08,the latch I09 is held elevated by the engagement of an overhanginglateral projection III on the latch I09 by the pin I08. Consequently,the latch I09 is only efiective when the tone arm is moved outwardlymanually.

It will be noted that when the pin I 08 moves to the right, as viewed inFig. 29, during the automatic operation of the machine, the spring 99acting upon the arm 98 causes the member 92 and its arm 94 to rotate inthe counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7. Then, when the pinI08 moves to the right as viewed in Fig. 9, the arm 94 follows it into aposition clear of operative engagement with the detent IIO, the pin I08holding the latch I09 elevated until the advancing edge of the arm-94passes beneath the detent IIO. As will hereinafter appear, when the tonearm is moved outwardly by hand to its extreme position and is latchedout in that position, the

pin I08, when the machine is put into operation, effects the unlatchingof the tone arm.

The arm 93 of the member 92 controls the unlatching of the mechanismwhereby the lowermost record of the stack is dropped onto the tumtableand whereby the necessary movements of the/tone arm are effected. Thismechanism includes a member II2 which will hereinafter befullydescribed. For the present purpose it is pointed out that duringthe playing of records the member H2 is in the position in whichit isshown in Figs. 7, 23 and 24. The member H2 is held in this position bythe engagement of a projection II3 on a trip lever II4 with a stop ordetent IIS on the member 2. c

The member II2 is biased towards its position in Fig. 27 by means of aspring H6. The trip lever II4 is biased in the counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig."7, by means of a spring III-so that itsprojection II 3 tends to move towards the periphery of the member I I2.The trip lever H4 is provided with a pin I I8 which projects into thepath of a contact member II9 adjustably mounted on the arm 93. As thetone arm moves inwardly of the record during the playing, the arm 93 andthe contact member II9 move continuously towards the pin I I8 andeventually, when the tone arm reaches a definite inward position on therecord, the contact member II9 engages the pin H8 and swings the latchviewed in Fig. 23, the point of the dog I20 slips along the serratededge of a member I22 carried by the trip lever II4. In the event ofreverse movement, that is, counter-clockwise movement of the arm 93, thepoint of the dog being held by engagement with the serrated edge of themember I 22 forcibly moves the trip lever H4 in counterclockwisedirection and the member H2 is unlatched. Consequently, th trip willoperate when the tone arm is moved into a definite position on therecord and it will operate when the needle runs into an inner eccentricgroove of the type provided in certain records. The trip lever I I4 mayalso be moved to unlatch the member I I2 by manual means. For thispurpose a rod I23 is connected to the lever II 4 as shown in Fig. "I,and when this lever is moved longitudinally downwardly and to the leftas viewed in this figure, the trip lever will be rotated to unlatch themember H2. The rod I23 is connected to a combined switchand cancellingassembly I24, which will I hereinafter be described in detail.

The means whereby the tone arm is elevated away from the records willnow be described.

A pin I25 is slidably mounted within th tubular member 88. The lower endof this pin rests upon the normally horizontal arm I26 of a bell cranklever I 21 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket I28 (Fig. 12), by apin I3I (Figs. 10 and 12). The bell crank lever I21 comprises adownwardly extending arm I32 to which one end of a bar I33 is pivotallyconnected. The other end of the bar I33 carries a cam roller I34 whichis adapted to engage a cam surface I35 on the member I2.

Adjacent the cam roller I34 th bar I33 is provided with a slot I36through which extends the shaft 46 of the control 'post with which themember 12 is associated. This end of the bar is- When the machine isplaying a record the cam roller I34 is located at a low point I33 of thecam surface I35 and the spring I30 holds the arm I26 in its lowestposition as is shown in Fig. 12. In this relation of the parts the pinI25 is below the contact member I40 which is adjustably mounted on thebracket 34 of the tone arm 30. Consequently, the tone arm is free tomove to a low'position with its needle engaging the record on theturntable 4I. When the member 12 moves in the clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. '1, the roller I34 rides up upon a rise I4I on the camsurface I35, moving the bar I33 to the left as viewed in Fig. '1, andelevating the arm I26 of the bell crank lever I21 from its position inFig. 12 to its position in Fig. 13. As a result of the upward movementof the arm I26, the rod I25,

engages the contact member I40 and moves the tone arm 30 upwardly intoits position in Fig. 13. In the position of the element shown in Fig.13, the needle is clear of all the records which may be on theturntable.

It is to be noted that the elevating movement of the tone arm whichresults from the cooperation of the cam rise I with the roller I34 iseffected before the pin I06 engages the arm 34. After the pin I08engages this arm 34, the cam roller I34 rides over a cam rest I42 n thecam surface I35 so that the bar I33 remains stationary and the tone arm.remains elevated while the a resilient pressure upon the member 92 whenthe tone arm is raised. Consequently, when the tone arm is swung outlaterally clear of the records and when it is returned to initialplaying position, this brake maintains the tone arm in the position intowhich it is swung without any tendency to move away from that position.It

will be understood that when the arm I26 is low- Y ered into theposition in which it is shown in Fig. 12, and the friction member I43iswithdrawn from the member 32, the weak spring I05 mounted on themember I02 is able to move from its full line position in Fig. 20 intoits dotted line position in that figure, thus moving the tone arm gentlytowards the first groove of the record.

The combined switch and cancelling assembly I24 comprises a bracket I46(Fig. 16) mounted on the underside'of the motor board 44. Thisbracketmay suitably be of stirrup formation.

The horizontal lower portion of the bracket is 1 provided with two slotsI41 which receive and guide the upwardly directed arms of a U-shapedmember I43. This U-shaped member is rigidly secured to a switch unit I43which comprises a spindle I50 which projects upwardly throughopenings'in the bracket I46 and in the motor board 44. Its upper endcarries a. button I5I whereby the switch may be turned on and off byslight turning movement in one direction or the other, as indicated inFig. 1.

The button, switch and U-shaped member I48 are biased upwardly by meansof a coil spring I52 arranged around the spindle I50 and bearing againstthe horizontal portion of the .U-shaped pin I00 is throwing the tone armout laterally clear of the records. The relation of these elements atthat time is shown in Fig. 8. When the member 12 begins to return fromits position shown in Fig. 8 into its position shown in Fig. '1,

rested, the cam roller I34 moves down the cam rise HI and the tone armis permitted to descend onto the record in initial playing position.

As has been previously indicated, means are provided for applying abraking effect upon the tone arm assembly when the tone arm is elevated.This braking means may suitably comprise a friction member I43 which maybe of rubber or suitable flbrous or friction material. The frictionmember I43 is preferably resiliently mounted on the arm I26. Forexample, as shown in Fig. 12, it may be mounted on a flat spring I44which is anchored to the bell crank lever I21 adjacent its pivot.

The leaf spring I44 may suitably be'provided with a detent portion I45to'the arm I26 so that the friction member I43 is positively withdrawnout of contact withthe member 92. When the arm I26 is elevated, as shownin Fig. 13, the leaf spring I44 is free of the arm I26 so that itapplies member I46 and against a suitable collar I53 rigidly. carried bythe spindle I50. The upward movement of the switch I43, button I5I andassociated parts is limited by a-collar I54. rigidly secured to thespindle, I50 and adapted normally to bear against the underside of themotor board 44. It will thus be seen that the switch I49 may be turnedon and off by slight turning movements of the button I5I and that theswitch asdownwardly to a limited extend by merely pressing the buttonI5I inwardly. When the button I5I is released, the-spring I52 forces theassembly up to its normal position. It will, of course, be understoodthat the switch I49 controls the supply of current to the motor 43.

The combined switch and cancelling assembly I24 comprises a cam memberI55 (Figs. 16 and 30). This member comprises two horizontal end portionsI56 and I51 which are guided in slots I53 and I53, respectively,provided in the bracket I46, The end portion. I51, to which isconnectedthe rod I23 previously referred to, has a relatively close fit withinits slot I59. The other end member I56 has a considerable degree offreedom within its slot, but is'normally held to one side thereof, asshown in Fig. 30, by means of a spring I60.,

Between the terminal portions I56 and I51 the cam member I55 comprises agenerally depressed intermediate portion which includes an inclined camportion I6I adjacent the terminal portion I66 and a main horizontalbodyportion I62 which is connected to the cam portion I6I and to a generallyvertical portion I63 which is contiguous to the terminal portion I51.The inclined cam portion I6I is normally in contact with the collar I54on the spindle I50. Consequently, when the button I 5I is depressed, thecollar I54 causes movement of the cam member I55 to the left as viewedin Fig'. 16, and consequently the rod I23 is pulled to the left asviewed in this figure, and pulled downwardly and to the left as viewedin Figs. '7 and 8. Thus, the downward movement of the button IIunlatches the member II2.

In the horizontal portion I62 and in the adjacent portion of theinclined cam portion I6I the cam member I55 is provided with an openingI64 (Fig. 30) through which freely extends the spindle I59. A pin I 65(Fig. 16) projects downwardly from the collar I54 into the opening I64.The cam member I55 is provided with a detent I66 which projectsinto theopening I64 as shown in Fig. 30. When the switch button I 5| is at theoff position, the pin I65 is in its dotted line position in Fig. 30.When the button I5I is turned to the on position, the pin I65 engagesthe detent I66-and moves the cam member I55 to the left as viewed inFig. 30. Thus, the rod I23 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 16,each time the switch is turned off. This movement, as previouslyexplained, results in the unlatchin'g of the member I I2. When theswitch button I5I is again rotated to the off position, it passes thedetent I66 freely owing to the freedom of movement of the terminalportion 156 in its slot I 58. When the pin I65 has returned to itsdotted line position in Fig. 30, the spring I69 moves the cam member I55so as to interpose the detent I66 between the two positions of the pinI65.

The record-changing mechanism is driven from the motor 43 through apinion I61 on the turntable spindle 42, which pinion meshes with a largegear I68 rotatably mounted on the underside of the motor board 44. Thegear I68 carries an upwardly directed pin I69 and a downwardly directedpin I19. The actuating member II2 previously referred to is alsopivotally mounted on the underside of the motor board 44.

The member II2 carries a downwardly displaced nose portion "I (Fig. 19)which is located on a level to enable it to cooperate with-the upwardlyextending pin I69. When the member H2 is in its latched position, asshown in Fig. 7, its nose portion IN is located out of the path of thepin I69. When, however, the latch lever H4 is actuated in any of thethree ways previously described, the member I I2 is swung by the springII6 from its position in Fig. 24 into its position in Fig. 25 so thatthe nose portion "I is engaged by the pin I69, as shown in Fig. 25, andthe member H2 is swung by the pin I69 into its position in Fig. 26. Whenthe pin I69 clears the nose portion I1 I, the member I I2 is swung byits spring II6 from its position in Fig. 26 into its position in Fig.27.

record of the elevated stack is dropped when the bar 19 approaches theend of its movement to- The actuating member II2 carries a roller I12 Iwhich is adapted to cooperate with an abutment member I13 which projectslaterally from the bar 19. During the playing of a record the roller I12and the abutment member I13 are in their positions shown in Fig. 24.When the actuating member "2 is swung progressively through itspositions inFigs. 25 and 26, the roller I12 enages the abutment memberI13 and the bar 19 is moved longitudinally from its normal position ofFig. 7 into its position in Fig. 8. Consequently, the members H and 12are moved in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. '7 and 8, and thesupporting heads 49 are moved in counter-clockwise direction as viewedin Figs. 1 and 2, with the result that these heads are rotated fromtheir positions in Figs. 1 and 2 into their positions of wards theposition in which it is shown in Fig. 8.

Before the record is dropped, the rotation of the member 12 from itsposition in Fig. 7 into its position in Fig. 8 causes the elevation ofthe tone arm in the manner previously described by actuation of the barI33 and the displacement of the tone arm clear of the records by thedisplacement of the bar I 96 and the pin I98 carried thereby. Only afterthe tone arm is elevated and displaced outwardly clear of the recordsdoes the lowermost record of the elevated stack fall onto the turntable.It is to be noted that after the record is dropped, the elevated stackis left supported upon the blades 89 or the blades 69, as shown in Figs.5 and 6, respectively.

After the pin I69 clears the nose portion III of the latch member II2,as shown in Fig. 26, the pin I19 moves into engagement with an abutmentI14 which projects laterally from the bar 19. Consequently, the bar 19is moved longitudinally so as to return the members H and 12 from theirpositions of Fig. 8 into their positions of Fig. 7. Consecutivepositions of the pin I19 and the abutment I14 are shown in Figs. 26,2'1, 28

a and 7. This movement of the bar 19 causes the supporting heads toreturn from their positions in Figs. 5 and 6 to their positions in Figs.1 and 2, respectively, and it effects the consecutive withdrawal of thebar I96 to permit the tone arm to move to initial playing position, andthe movement of the bar I33 to the right as viewed in Fig. 7, to permitthe tone arm to. drop into engagement with the record in the mannerpreviously described. It has been noted that during the initial part ofthis return movement the cam roller I34 rides upon a cam rest I42 andthat thereafter it rides down a cam fall I.

In order to prevent the spring I38 from Jerking the bar 19 andassociated parts into their final position, I prefer to provide a toothI15 on the bar 19 so as to provide a slot I16 between it and theabutment I14 within which slot the pin I19 is located, as shown in Fig.27, during the major part of its actuating relation to the bar 19. Whenthe bar 19 approaches its position shown in Fig. 7, the pin I19 movesout of the slot I16 and the unrestricted movement of the bar 19 enablesthe projection I14 to move completely away from the path f the pin I19.

The member '2 has pivotally mounted thereon a dog I11 which is biased bya spring I18 into engagement with a pin I19 mounted on the member H2.The dog I11 is provided with a down-' wardly directed flange I 89 whichis adapted to cooperate with an upturned projection I8I car Figs. 27 and28, and forces this dog against the pin I19 so that the member I I2 ismoved in clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 27 and 28, thus enablingthe latch lever II4 to engage and hold the member H2 in its latchedposition shown in Fig. 7.

The operation is as follows: The tone arm 89 is moved outwardly by handclear of the records which may be on the turntable or on the supportingheads 49. This arm is latched in that position by engagement of the arm94 by the latch I as previously described. I Any records on thesupporting heads are removed and these supporting heads are then rotatedso as to bring their recesses 53 into cooperative relation with the pins41. When this is done the'supporting heads are in the position shown inFig. 17, and any records on the turntable may be removed. The supportingheads are then adjusted for the playing of 10" or 12'. records in themanner previously described, and records of corresponding dimension arethen applied upon the upper end of the spindle 42 so that'theirperipheral portions rest upon the supporting heads.

The movement of the supporting heads to the 12" position locates the barI1 in its position of Fig. 9, so that it is adapted .to cooperate withthe abutment IOI of the arm 98. Movement of the supporting heads to the10 position locates the abutment 19 of the bar ll clear of the abutmentIN and, enables the arm, 98 to cooperate with the abutment I00. Theswitch button II is then rotated from itsofi position to its onposition, which starts the motor and simultaneously moves the lever INaway from the member H2 so that the nose portion I'll of this member ismoved into the path of the pin I69. The pin I30 then actuates the memberH2 in the manner previously described so that the supporting heads areswung into their position of Fig. 5 or Fig. 6, dependingupon whether theheads were set for or 12" records, respectively. The lowermost record ofthe elevated stack then drops onto the turntable and the pin I10actuates the bar I0 so as to return the recordchanging elements toinitial position.

During the initial part of the return movement of the bar I06, the pinI08 maintains the latch I09 elevated so that during this return movementthe arm 98 is moved by the spring 99 until it is brought into engagementwith the abutment 19 or the abutment I00, as the case may be, thusreturning the tone arm to initial playing position, After this return,the continued movement of the bar I33 causes the tone arm to descend tothe record.

After the tone arm has moved downwardly to bring its needle into contactwith the recordon the turntable, the brake element I43 is withdrawn fromthe member 92 and the spring I05 is enabledto move the tone arm assemblygently so as to bring the needle into the first track grove of therecord. During the return movement of the bar 10, the member 2 islatched out in the manner previously described and the record on theturntable is played until the latch lever H4 is again released byengagement of'the abutment I I9 with the pin I I0 or by actuation of theserrated member I22 by the dog I in the manner previously described.When this unlatching occurs, the record-changing cycle is repeated andthe next record is played. This operation continues indefinitely untilthe motor is stopped.

If it is desired to terminate the playing of a record before itscompletion, it is merely-necessary to depress the button IBI, whichtrips the lever III and initiates the record-changing cycle.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with thespecific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must beunderstood that such details are not intended to'be limitative 1 of theinvention except inso far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

whereby it is moved in the opposite direction to Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the United States is:

1. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor driving saidturntable, a player arm and record changing mechanism, in combination, amember continuously rotated by said motor and having a projection, apivoted controlling member having a projection, means for biassing saidcontrolling member to bring its projection into the path of first saidprojection, latch means for holding said controlling member with itsprojection out of the path of the first said projection, means actuatedbysaid player arm for releasing said latch means, said controllingmember being adapted to engage and actuate said record changingmechanism when actuated by first said projection, means on said recordchanging mechanism adapted to be brought into operative relation withsaid rotary member by said actuation, whereby the record changingmechanism is further operated, and means on said record changingmechanism for returning said controlling member to latched position.

2. In an automatic phonograph having a; turntable, a motor driving saidturntable, a player arm and record changing mechanism, in combination, agear continuously rotated, by said motor and carrying a pair ofprojections, a pivoted controlling member adapted to occupy twopositions and having a projecting nose which lies in the path of one ofsaid pair of projections in one of its positions, means controlled bysaid player arm for locating the controlling member in last saidposition, a member forming part of said record changing mechanism,adapted to be oscillated to eifect the record changing cycle, means onthe oscillating said member adapted to be engaged by said controllingmember when it is actuated to effect its movement in one direction, andmeans on said oscillating member adapted to be brought by said movementinto the path of the other of said pair of projections complete itsrecord changing cycle.

3. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor driving saidturntable, a player arm and record changing mechanism, in combination, agearcontinuously rotated by said motor and carrying a pair ofprojections, a pivoted controlling member adapted to occupy twopositions and having a,projecting nose which lies in the path of one ofsaid pair of projections in one of its positions, means controlled bysaid player arm for locating the controlling member in last saidposition, a member forming part of said record changing mechanism,adapted to be oscillated to effect the record changing cycle,. means onthe oscillating said member adapted to be engaged by said controllingmember when it is actuated to effect its movement in one direction',means on said oscillating member adapted to be brought by said movementinto the path of the other of said pair of projections whereby it ismoved in the opposite direction to complete its record changing cycle,and means on said oscillating member effective during its last saidmovement for returning the controlling member to its other position.

'4. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor, a tone arm,record changing mechanism, and a trip actuated by the tone armcontrolling the operation of said mechanism, in combination,- a switchassembly mounted on the phonograph for bodily movement, including saidmotor, a handle having independent operating movements for actuating.said switch and for eflecting said bodily movement. and means associatedwith said assembly and actuated by said bodily movement to actuate saidtrip.

5. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor, a tone arm,record changing mechanism, and a trip actuated by the tone armcontrolling the operation of said mechanism, in combination, a switchfor controlling the supply of current to said motor mounted on saidphonograph ior operating and bodily movements, and trip actuated meansoperatively associated with said switch and including a cam memberadapted to be actuated to actuate the trip when the switch is turned onand when the switch is moved bodily.

8. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor for drivingthe turntable, a player arm and record-changing mechanism, incombination, a drive member continuously operated by said motor, anoscillating controlling member, means biassing said controlling memberin one direction into cooperative engagement with said drive member,latch means for holding said controlling member out of engagement withsaid drive member when oscillated in the opposite direction, meanscontrolled by said player arm for releasing said latch means, saidcontrolling member being adapted to operate said recordchangingmechanism, means on said recordchanging mechanism adapted to be broughtinto operative relation with said drive member by last said operation,whereby the record-changing mechanism is actuated successively by thecontrolling member and by last said means on said record-changingmechanism in cooperation with said drive member, and means cooperatingwith said record-changing mechanism for actuating said controllingmember insaid opposite direction into latched position.

7. In an automatic phonograph having a tumtable, a motor for driving theturntable, a player arm and record-changing mechanism, in combination, adrive member continuously operated by said motor, an oscillatingcontrolling member, means biassing said controlling member in onedirection into cooperative engagement with said drive member, latchmeans for holding said con-' trolling member out of engagement with saiddrive member when oscillated in the opposite direction, means biassingsaid latch means tothe controlling member andby last said means on saidrecord-changing mechanism in cooperation with said drive member.

8. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor for drivingthe turntable, a player arm and record-changing mechanism, incombination, a drive member continuously operated by said motor, anoscillating controlling memposite direction, means controlled 73,851,972 a switch for controlling the supply of current to ber, meansbiassing said controlling member in one direction into cooperativeengagement with said drive member, latch means for holding saidcontrolling member out of engagement with said drive member whenoscillated in the opposite direction, means biassing said latch means towards said controlling member, whereby said controlling member 'isautomatically latched in inoperative position when moved ck in said opvsaid player arm for releasing said latch means, said controlling memberbeing adapted operatively to engage said drive member, means on saidrecordchanging mechanism adapted to be brought into operative relationwith said drive member by said operation, whereby the record-changingmechanism is actuated successively by the controlling member and by lastsaid means on said record-changing mechanism in cooperation'with saiddrive member, and means for moving said controlling member in saidopposite direction against its bias whereby it is automatically latchedin inoperative position by said latch means.

9. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a motor for drivingthe turntable, a player arm and record-changing mechanism, incombination, a drive member continuously operated by said motor, anoscillating controlling member, means biassing said controlling memberin one direction into cooperative engagement with said drive member,latch means for holding said controlling member out of engagement withsaid drive member when oscillated in the opposite direction, meansbiassing said latch means towards said controlling member, whereby saidcontrolling member, is automatically latched in inoperative positionwhen moved back in said opposite direction, means controlled by saidplayer arm for releasing said latch means, said controlling member beingadapted operatively to engage said drive member, means on saidrecordchanging mechanism adapted to be brought into operative relationwith said drive member by said operation, whereby the record-changingmechanism is actuated successively by the controlling member and by lastsaid means on said recordchanging mechanism in cooperation with saiddrive member, and means cooperating with said record-changing mechanismfor moving said controlling member in said opposite direction againstits bias into position where it is automatically latched by said latchmeans in inoperative position.

10. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable, a'motor, a tone arm,record-changing mechanism and a trip actuated by the tone armcontrolling the operation of said mechanism, in combination, a switchassembly including ,a switch housing, a switch and'an actuating spindle,means mounting said assembly for movement in the axial direction of saidspindle, re sillent means biassing said assembly in one direction,separate means for actuating said trip means associated with saidassembly for actuating said separate meansiby axial movement of saidspindle, and means associated with said spindle for actuating saidseparate means by rotary movement of said spindle.

CARL G. JOHNSON.

